Guidelines for the use of structural versus regression analysis in geomorphic studies

Water-Resources Investigations Report 78-135

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Abstract

Regression analysis is a useful curve-fitting technique, but it often is misapplied to geomorphic data sets. When error components can be identified for both variables, the statistical technique of structural analysis is preferred. If regression results are available, conversion to a structural analysis can be made either manually or by computer. Use of computer-generated data sets permits the construction of curves relating variation between regression and structural analyses to the range of data of the independent variable. The data have randomly imposed error components of specified standard deviation and a slope of the linear relation that simulates gradient-discharge relations of natural alluvial streams. The empirically developed curves can be used to determine the need for structural analysis of real geomorphic data sets. (Woodard-USGS)

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Report

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USGS Numbered Series

Title:

Guidelines for the use of structural versus regression analysis in geomorphic studies